MetaSwitch to Participate in MultiService Forum's IMS Interoperability Test Event GMI 2006

Chicago (GLOBALCOMM): June 5, 2006. MetaSwitch, a leading vendor of next-generation carrier switching and application solutions, today announced that it has signed up to participate in the MultiService Forum's (MSF) GMI 2006 test event. MetaSwitch's participation will demonstrate the full strength of the Multimedia-Enhanced Telephony Architecture (META) strategy, targeted at carriers migrating to converged multi-service networks. MetaSwitch's participation in the MSF's GMI 2006 is part of its ongoing commitment to provide the linchpin for a carrier's ability to successfully embark upon their migration to an IMS-based architecture, and an extension of the leadership role it plays within the MSF's architecture work group.

"By leveraging the test networks of leading carriers worldwide, the GMI 2006 event is the definitive interoperability test event focused on IMS," said Roger Ward, president of the MultiService Forum. "MetaSwitch is participating in its third consecutive GMI test event, a clear indication of its commitment to service and infrastructure interoperability in support of carrier IMS deployments worldwide."

"The migration to IMS-based architectures has begun as carriers look to leverage IP to create innovative services that can be delivered across any network or network type anywhere in the world," said Chris Mairs, MetaSwitch chief technology officer. "The MSF is tackling real-world interoperability issues at a critical time in the industry's migration to IMS and we're pleased to be a key contributor to GMI 2006."

GMI 2006 will bring together dozens of carriers and vendors to test the interoperability of IMS-based infrastructure components in a real-world setting. Providing a test-bed for the full spectrum of hardware, processes and services needed to assemble an effective next-generation delivery platform, GMI2006 is designed to validate MSF Release 3 Implementation Agreements covering a wide range of topics including roaming across multiple network types (including cellular and WiFi), QoS issues (including session border control and bandwidth management), and interoperability with 3GPP release 4.

Five of the world's top carriers - BT, KT, NTT, Verizon and Vodafone and a world class test facility UNH-IOL - will host the event to provide world-class networked test facilities spanning 3 continents. Comprising a massive 'real network' trial of the MSF IMS-compatible (IP Multimedia System) Release 3 architecture, this event is critically important to any carrier or vendor committed to building or implementing infrastructure elements compatible with IMS.

Carriers and service providers can learn more about MetaSwitch solutions by visiting Booth #67080 at GLOBALCOMM. MetaSwitch executives and customers will also be speaking on several panels as part of the Telephony Magazine IP Summit, Telecommunications Magazine Telecom U, OSP Expo, and IEC Communications Forum conference tracks.

About MetaSwitch

MetaSwitch is an industry-leading vendor of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) switching and applications solutions for both packet and circuit-switched networks. Its widely deployed call agent, media/signaling gateway and application server platform supports a full range of legacy Class 4/5 capabilities and hosted unified communications services, and scales from a few hundred to millions of subscribers in both integrated and distributed configurations. Customers include incumbent and competitive local exchange carriers, as well as operators of broadband wireless, cable and fiber networks. MetaSwitch is a division of established telecom technology provider Data Connection. The company is consistently profitable and privately held, with main U.S. offices in California and Virginia, and European headquarters in London, U.K. For more information: www.metaswitch.com.